Collapsible container



N 1965 E. H. DOERPlNGHAU 3,219,082

COLLAPS IBLE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill Nov. 23, 1965 E. H. DOERPINGHAUS 3,219,082

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Feb, 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. H. DOERPINGHAUS 3,219,082

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Nov. 23, 1965 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENTOR:

ew/usr b. wrap/mamas United States Patent C Claims. (Cl. 150-.5)

The present invention relates to improvements in collapsible containers comprising a rigid cover member, a rigid bottom member and one or more flexible tubes extending between these members. Containers of this general character are disclosed in my eopending applications Serial Nos. 65,105 and 72,363. More particularly, the invention mainly relates to improvements in connections between the rigid and flexible components of such containers.

An important object of the invention is to provide a container of the above outlined characteristics wherein the connections between the flexible component or components and the rigid components remain fluidtight even though the flexible components are separable from the rigid components.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved biasing or sealing means between the rigid and flexible components of a collapsible container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the above outlined type wherein the seal between the flexible and rigid components may be established or terminated in a very simple and time-saving manner.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved suspension facilitating system for a container of the above outlined characteristics so that the normally hollow upper end member of the container is not subjected to undesirable deforming stresses when the container is lifted or towed in actual use. i

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a very simple centering device for the end members of a collapsible container which is constructed and assembled in such a way that it may also serve as a means for facilitating rolling of the container along the ground when the container is in collapsed condition. With the above objects in view, the invention resides in the provision of a collapsible container which comprises a first and a second rigid end member, a first and a second annular clamping member respectively surrounding the first and the second end member, at least one tubular element of flexible material whose end portions are respectively received between the first and second members, and special biasing means provided between at least one clamping member and the respective end member for sealing the cargo chamber defined by the flexible element from the surrounding atmosphere.

Certain other features of the invention reside in special construction of the biasing means, in the provision of special suspension facilitating means which are mounted on one of the clamping members in close proximity of the respective end portion of the flexible element so as to prevent undesirable deformation of the respective end member when the container is suspended, in the provision of centering annuli on the clamping member or members which enable an operator to collapse the container into a shape in which it may be rolled along the ground, and in the provision of special tightening means for the clamping members so that the latter may be separated from the respective end members in order to provide access to the cargo chamber of the container in the event that the cargo cannot be evacuated through the customary discharge opening or openings of the container.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the 3,219,082 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary central vertical section through the top portion of a container which embodies my invention;

FIG. 2 is a smaller scale fragmentary front elevational view of the container as seen in the direction of the arrow II in FIG. 1; and

:FIG. 3 is a fragmentary central vertical section through a slightly modified container, showing the container in collapsed condition in which the two clamping members are centered by an annular centering element secured to the upper clamping member of the container.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to FIG. -1, there is shown the upper part of a collapsible container which includes a composite upper end member or cover 10 comprising an upper or outer shell 11 and a lower or inner shell 12, a first flexible tubular element or mantle 13 whose tubular upper end portion 13a is detachably secured to the cover 10, and a second flexible tubular element or liner 14 which is adjacent to the inner side of the mantle 13 and whose upper end portion 14a is also detachably secured to the cover 10. The upper shell 11 has an annular flange 11a which extends downwardly and into the upwardly extending annular flange 12a of the lower shell 12 where it is retained by an epoxy filler 15. The shells 11, 12 preferably consist of suitable rigid synthetic plastic material.

The outer side of the composite cover 10 is surrounded by an annular clamping member 16 made of steel or another metallic material. This clamping member is slotted, as at 16a, and is held against radial expansion by a pair of externally applied metallic rings 17, 18 so that the walls bounding the slot 16a actually abut against each other. The ring 17 is received in an external annular groove defined by the lower end portion of the clamping member 16, and the other ring 18 is accommodated in a second external annular groove defined by the clamping member close to the upper end thereof. The rings 17, 18 are provided with suitable adjusting means, not shown,

e.g. screw locks having right-hand and left-hand threads,

for facilitating tightening of the clamping member 16 about the end portions 13a, 14a.

i The container further comprises a pair of fluid-inflated expandible gaskets 19, 20 which serve as a means for bias ing the tubular portions 13a, 14a into sealing engagement with the member 10 and/or 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the gasket 19 assumes the form of an elastic tube which is inserted into the space formed between the upper end face of the lower shell 12 and the adjacent conically converging portion 16b of the clamping member. The latter is formed with one or more apertures 16c for the fluid-admitting nipple or nipples 19a of the gasket 19. The tip 19b of the illustrated nipple is sealed by hot weld ing and may be pierced by a needle or the like to permit introduction or evacuation of pressure fluid 21 which fills the internal space or pressure chamber 19c of the gasket 19. The gasket 19 is preferably a thin-walled tube made of polyvinyl chloride or another synthetic plastic material and the fluid 21 is preferably maintained at a pressure of say five atmospheres to make sure that the tubular portions 13a, 14a are pressed with requisite force against the inner side of the clamping member 16. The fluid 21 is preferably non-freezing water. The nipple 19a is a thickwalled tube. The other gasket 20 is of analogous co'ristruction. It comprises one or more nipples 20a extending through the aperture or apertures 16d provided in the uppermost portion of the clamping member 16, and an internal pressure chamber 200 which contains a supply 22 of non-freezing water. The tip 201) of the nipple 20a is sealed by hot welding and is punctured by a needle (e.g. of 2 mm. diameter) or the like when the liquid 22 is to be admitted to or evacuated from the chamber 20c. The chamber 200 accommodates a plastic ring 23 of circular cross section which imparts to the gasket 20 a shape necessary for deflection of the topmost zone of the end portion 13a so that this end portion comprises a section 13b adjacent to the outer side of the cover and a bent-over flap 130 which partly overlaps the section 13b by surrounding the upper portion thereof and which is adjacent to the inner side of the clamping member 16. The tubular end portion 14a of the liner 14 extends to the upper end of the member 16, i.e. it need not be bent over the gasket 20. It will be noted that the inflated gasket biases the flap 130 against the clamping member 16 and that this gasket also biases the section 13b against the cover 10 so that the internal space 24 of the container is fluidtightly sealed from the surrounding atmosphere. The force necessary for retention of the tubular portions 13a, 14a between the members 10, 16 is supplied by the tightening rings 17, 18. It will be readily understood that one of the gaskets 19, 20 may be dispensed with or that more than two gaskets may be provided, if necessary. The lower gasket 19 is preferably adjacent to the non-overlapped zone of the section 13b, i.e. it is located at a level below the flap 130. If desired, the ring 23 may be integral with the gasket 20.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show improved means for facilitating suspension of the container on the hook 25 of a crane or the like. This suspension facilitating means comprises a series of apertured triangular plates 26 (only one shown) which are uniformly distributed about the cover 10 and which are secured to the clamping member 16 by spot welding indicated at 27. Each plate 26 preferably assumes the form of a package of thin laminations 26a (see FIG. 1), and the upper portions of these plates extend beyond the cover 10 where they are formed with apertures 28 having their walls lined by reinforcing eyelets 29. For example, the suspension facilitating means may comprise three or four plates 26.

An important advantage of the improved suspension facilitating means is that the composite cover 10 is subjected to negligible bending or deforming stresses because the plates 26 are closely adjacent to the end portion 13a of the mantle 13. When the container is filled with liquid, pulverulent or solid cargo, the tension resulting from the weight of the cargo acts in the direction indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow 30, i.e. it tends to pull the end portion 13a from the space between the members 10, 16. Heretofore, the container was suspended by eye bolts secured to the top plate of the shell 11, i.e. inwardly of the end portion 13a. Consequently, the composite cover 10 was subjected to substantial bending or deforming stresses which are highly undesirable not only because they tend to separate the shell 11 from the shell 12 but also because they can cause leakage between the cover and the mantle 13. It was found that the cover 10 exhibited signs of deformation if it Was suspended on four eyebolts located inwardly of the clamping member 16 and if the weight of the cargo approximated or exceeded eight tons, i.e. about two tons per each eye bolt. Such deformation is effectively prevented if the suspension facilitating means is closely adjacent to the tubular portion 13a and is located at the outer side thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a slightly modified container in collapsed condition. This container comprises a second end member or bottom 10' which is similar to the cover 10 and certain of its component parts are identified by the same reference numerals as utilized in FIG. 1, each followed by a prime. The end members 10, 10' are arranged in mirror symmetry and the latter comprises a slightly modified outer shell 111 having a downwardly extending annular corrugation 111b provided with external U- shaped ground-contacting leg members 31 (only one shown in FIG. 3) on which the container comes to rest. The flange 111a of the outer shell 111 is received in the flange 12a of the inner shell 12'.

The connection between the lower end portion 13a of the mantle 13 and the lower end portion 14a of the liner 14 on the one hand, and the lower end member 10' and the lower clamping member 16 on the other hand is analogous to that of FIG. 1. The reference numerals identifying parts of this connection are the same as utilized in FIG. 1, each followed by a prime.

The upper clamping member 16 is surrounded by a centering means in the form of an externally knurled or otherwise roughened anular element 32 which preferably consists of rigid synthetic plastic material and which is cemented or otherwise fixed to the outer side of the clamping member 16. As shown, the lower portion of the annular element 32 extends beyond the member 16 so that it may receive the upper portion of the lower clamping member 16' when the container is collapsed. A similar annular element 33 of smaller axial length is cemented to the outer side of the lower clamping member 16' and abuts against the element 32 when the container is collapsed. The annular element 32 automatically centers the lower portion of the container in the upper portion by receiving the upper portion of the lower clamping member 16. In collapsed condition of the container, the mantle 13 and the liner 14 may be folded or otherwise deformed so as to be accommodated in the space between the inner shells 12, 12. As disclosed in the aforementioned application Serial No. 65,105, the purpose of the liner 14 is to serve as a means for ejecting or for speeding up evacuation of cargo from the internal space 24. This liner may also serve as a means for protecting the mantle 13 from corrosive or other undesirable action of the cargo, e.g. if the cargo is of such nature that it could attack the material of the mantle.

The elements 32, 33 enable a workman to roll the collapsed container along the ground without damaging the clamping members 16, 16 or the tensioning rings 17, 18, 17', 18'. If desired, these elements may consist of several sections so as to permit ready separation of the clamping members from the respective end members 10, 10', for example, if the chamber 24 of the container is filled with viscous or like cargo which cannot be evacuated through the customary discharge opening or openings normally provided in the lower end member 10. In such instances, the workmen separate the clamping member 16 or 16' and puncture the tips of the nipples 19a, 20a or 19a, 20a so as to permit convenient separation of the end portions 13a, 14a or 13a, 14a from the respective end members.

If the container is utilized for transportation of viscous or thermoplastic substances (e.g. parafline) i.e. if it is necessary to periodically separate the tubular portions 13a, 14a or 13a, 14a from the respective end members, the nipples 19a, 20a and/ or 19a, 20a are preferably provided with suitable valves 35, shown in FIG. 3 on nipples 19, 20', which may be of the type utilized in inflatable tubes of automobile wheels. The exact construction of the valves 35 forms no part of this invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a Substantially annular outer side; a radially expansible and contractible annular clamping member disposed about said outer side; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members; means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement'with at least one of said members, said biasing means comprising at least one fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said tubular portion and one of said members for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with the other member; and tightening means arranged to bias said clamping member radially inwardly so that said tubular portion is clamped between said members.

2. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a substantially annular outer side; a radially expansible and contractible annular clamping member disposed about said outer side; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members; means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with at least one of said members, said biasing means comprising at least one fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said tubular portion and one of said members for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with the other member, said gasket having at least one fluid-admitting nipple extending outwardly through said clamping member; and tightening means arranged to bias said clamping member radially inwardly so that said tubular portion is clamped between said members.

3. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a substantially annular outer side; a radially expansible and contractible annular clamping member disposed about said outer side; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members, said tubular portion having a section adjacent to said outer side and a bent-over flap surrounding said section and inwardly adjacent to said clamping member; means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with said members, said biasing means comprising at least one fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said section and said flap whereby said section and said flap are respectively biased into sealing engagement with said end member and with said clamping member; and tightening means arranged to bias said clamping member radially inwardly so that said tubular portion is clamped between said members.

4. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a substantially annular outer side; an annular clamping member disposed about said outer side; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members, said tubular portion having a section adjacent to said outer side and a bentover flap partially overlapping said section and inwardly adjacent to said clamping members; and means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with said members, said biasing means comprising a first fluidinflated expandible gasket located between said section and said flap so as to respectively bias said section and said flap into sealing engagement with said end member and with said clamping member, and a second fluidinflated expandible gasket located between the non-overlapped zone of said section and said outer side for biasing said section into sealing engagement with said clamping member.

5'. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a first and a second rigid end member, each of said members having a substantially annular outer side; a first and a second clamping member respectively disposed about said first and said second end member; at least one flexible element having a first tubular end portion received between said first end member and said first clamping member, and a second tubular end portion received between said second end member and said second clamping member; and means for respectively biasing said tubular end portions into sealing engagement with at least one of said first and second members, each of said biasing means comprising at least one first fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said first end portion and one of said first members for biasing said first end portion into sealing engagement with the other first member, and at least one second fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said second end portion and one of said second members for biasing said second end portion into sealing engagement with the other second member.

6. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a first and a second rigid end member, each of said members having a substantially annular outer side; a first and a second annular clamping member respectively disposed about said first and said second end member; at least one flexible element having a first tubular end portion received between said first end member and said first clamping member, and a second tubular end portion received between said second end member and said second clamping member; means for respectively biasing said tubular end portions into sealing engagement with at least one of said first and second members, each of said biasing means comprising at least one first fluid-inflated expandi'ble gasket located between said first end portion and one of said first members for biasing said first end portion into sealing engagement with the other first member, and at least one second fined-inflated expandible gasket located between said second end portion and one of said second members for biasing said second end portion into sealing engagement with the other second member, each of said gaskets having at least one fluid-admitting nipple extending outwardly through the respective clamping member; and means for centering one of said clamping members with respect to the other clamping member, said centering means comprising an annular centering element disposed about and fixed to one of said clamping members and having a portion extending beyond said one clamping member so as to receive a portion of the other clamping member when said container is collapsed and the two clamping members are adjacent to each other.

7. A container as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a second annular centering element disposed about and fixed to the other clamping member, said second centering element abutting against said portion of the first mentioned centering element in collapsed condition of said container.

8. A collapsible container comprising, in combination, a first and a second rigid end member, each of said members having a substantially annular outer side; a first and a second annular clamping member respectively disposed about and fixed to said first and said second end member; at least one flexible element having a first tubular end portion received between said first end member and said first clamping member, and a second tubular end portion received between said second end member and said second clamping member; means for respectively biasing said tubular end portions into sealing engagement with at least one of said first and second members, each of said biasing means comprising at least one first fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said first end portion and one of said first members for biasing said first end portion into sealing engagement with the other first member, and at least one second fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said second end portion and one of said second members for biasing said second end portion into sealing engagement with the other second member; and means for facilitating suspension of said container, said suspension facilitating means comprising a plurality of apertured plates secured to the outer side of one of said clamping members and extending beyond said one clamping member in a direction away from the other clamping member.

9. A container as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plates are welded to the outer side of said one clamping member and wherein each of said plates is a laminated structure having an aperture in that portion thereof which extends beyond said one clamping member.

10. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a substantially annular outer side; a radially expansible and contractible annular clamping member disposed about said outer side; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members; means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with at least one of said members, said biasing means comprising at least one fluidinfiated expandible gasket located between said tubular portion and one of said members for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with the other member, said gasket having at least one valve-controlled fluidadmitting and fluid-evacuating nipple extending outwardly through said clamping member; and tightening means arranged to bias said clamping member radially inwardly so that said tubular portion is clamped between said members.

11. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid end member having a substantially annular outer side; annular clamping means diposed about said outer side, said clamping means comprising a slotted annular clamping member surrounding said outer side and at least one metallic ring surrounding said annular member so as to prevent radial expansion thereof; at least one flexible element having a tubular portion received between said members; and means for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with at least one of said members, said biasing means comprising at least one fluid-inflated expandible gasket located between said tubular portion and one of said members for biasing said tubular portion into sealing engagement with the other member.

12. In a collapsible container, in combination, a rigid annular end member having two edge portions of reduced diameter along the opposite edges thereof; a radially expansible, contractable and detachable annular clamping member of rigid material surrounding said rigid annular end member and including also two edge portions of reduced diameter corresponding to and superimposed upon said edge portions of'reduced diameter of said rigid annular end member; a flexible container wall including a tubular end portion located between said rigid annular end member and said annular clamping member; and tightening means surrounding at least one of said edge portions of reduced diameter of said annular clamping member biasing said reduced diameter edge portion of said clamping member inwardly so that said tubular end portion of said flexible element is clamped between the same and the corresponding reduced diameter edge portions of said rigid annular end member, while simultaneously movement of said annular clamping member relative to said rigid annular end member in axial direction thereof is prevented by engagement of said reduced diameter edge portions of said annular clamping member and the corresponding reduced diameter edge portions of said rigid end member.

13. In a collapsible container according to claim 12, two tightening means each surrounding one of said edge portions of reduced diameter of said annular clamping member.

14. In a collapsible container according to claim 12, said clamping member being slotted.

15. In a collapsible container according to claim 12, said tightening means comprising a ring surrounding an edge portion of reduced diameter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,105,939 1/1938 Cook 2208l 2,492,699 12/ 1949 Houwink l0.5 2,880,010 3/1959 Audette 285-174 2,907,591 10/1959 Galick 285174 2,943,760 7/ 1960 Hamilton 2208l 3,087,747 4/1963 Novotny 285-260 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, FRANKLIN T. GARRETT,

GEORGE O. RALST ON, Examiners. 

1. IN A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER, IN COMBINATION, A RIGID END MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY ANNULAR OUTER SIDE; A RADIALLY EXPANSIBLE AND CONTRACTIBLE ANNULAR CLAMPING MEMBER DISPOSED ABOUT SAID OUTER SIDE; AT LEAST ONE FLEXIBLE ELEMENT HAVING A TUBULAR PORTION RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS; MEANS FOR BIASING SAID TUBULAR PORTION INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, SAID BIASING MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE FLUID-INFLATED EXPANDIBLE GASKET LOCATED BETWEEN SAID 